Everton were burning with a sense of injustice over a record 10-point deduction that reignited relegation fears when Sean Dyche’s side appeared to have overtaken them. Manchester United instead produced a cool-headed, unflappable performance and enjoyed their biggest win of the season as a result.
Erik ten Hag’s side’s previous seven league wins this season had all come by a single-goal margin, but here they eventually ran out comfortable winners against an Everton side reeling from the heaviest sporting sanctions in Premier League history. A superb overhead kick from Alejandro Garnacho propelled United to an impressive victory; Kobbie Mainoo, 18, produced an excellent performance on his debut before Marcus Rashford’s second-half penalty put the game away for the home side. Anthony Martial shined with his first goal towards the end of the season.
Relating to: ‘Abuse of process’: Andy Burnham attacks Premier League Everton penalty
Dyche’s side created a number of good chances and performed well in the unique conditions that surrounded them, but again lacked the clinical touch that United display in abundance.
Everton’s protests against the Premier League were well-financed; More than £40,000 was raised for the various banners and the 38,000 red cards that filled Goodison Park were impressively co-ordinated and collectively executed. As soon as two men carrying Premier League signs stepped onto the pitch before kick-off, a frenetic atmosphere set in at the old ground.
But what an angry crowd and a heated team couldn’t legislate was Garnacho’s sheer genius early on. His superb overhead strike calmed Everton’s anger, at least temporarily, and provided a powerful reminder of the individual talent at Ten Hag’s disposal. Despite all the concerns and controversies surrounding the two clubs, United and Everton appeared as the two in-form teams of the league in the recent matches. Garnacho, 19, appears to have little trouble with confidence whatever the situation, and he showed that in spades when he volleyed home the visitors after just 136 seconds.
Everton were exposed with Victor Lindelöf’s cross-field pass to Marcus Rashford lurking on the right. This wouldn’t be the only opportunity. Rashford released Diogo Dalot to the byline and although his deep cross headed clear of the danger area, Garnacho read his flight to perfection. Taking a step back and away from goal, the youngster launched himself into the air to meet Dalot’s shot with an unstoppable overhead shot that flew into the top corner of Jordan Pickford’s goal, where the Everton goalkeeper was well beaten. The season challenger’s goal was reminiscent of Wayne Rooney’s stunning win for United against Manchester City in 2011. It was no surprise to hear United fans repeating the old Rooney chants afterwards.
Garnacho’s goal stunned Everton. Luke Shaw almost marked his return from injury in style when Bruno Fernandes headed home a corner from just outside the penalty area. Numerous aimless long balls from the home side were easily gobbled up by Harry Maguire.
However, with the movement around Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Everton’s possession gradually improved and they dominated most of the first half. Dyche’s team created enough good chances to open the gap. Instead, and for the first time at Goodison this season, they failed to pick up any points.
-
Download the Guardian app from the iOS App Store on iPhone or the Google Play store on Android by searching for ‘The Guardian’.
-
If you already have the Guardian app, make sure you’re on the latest version.
-
In the Guardian app, tap the Menu button at the bottom right, then go to Settings (gear icon) and then Notifications.
-
Turn on sports notifications.
Calvert-Lewin met James Garner’s corner kick with a high header just wide of United goalkeeper André Onana. The Everton striker forced Onana into a better save with a first-time shot from a long ball from outside the defence. Dwight McNeil came close to converting the rebound but the power of his effort was diminished by a deflection from Maguire and Mainoo went off the line. The 18-year-old was hugely impressive on his league debut and showed why Ten Hag had such high hopes for the midfielder in pre-season before he was injured. The Everton winger once again denied McNeil with a fine block when he found space to shoot inside the United area.
Abdoulaye Doucouré and Idrissa Gana Gueye, the scorers in the pre-international win over Crystal Palace, were guilty of glaring misses as Everton increased the pressure before half-time. Goodison’s ire was directed at referee John Brooks for a series of inconsistent decisions, including dissenting Doucouré when he asked why midfielder Scott McTominay had been given a yellow card for two consecutive fouls.
Everton’s sense of grievance deepened further early in the second half when Brooks awarded United a penalty following a pitchside review. The referee initially booked Martial for diving over Ashley Young’s outstretched right foot as she lunged towards the pitch. VAR advised Brooks to take a second look and Brooks thought Martial had been set up by the experienced defender. Marcus Rashford took on penalty duty, replacing captain Bruno Fernandes as usual, and slotted into the top corner for only his second goal of the season.
Martial sealed the victory at the end of a fluid United move instigated by substitute Facundo Pellistri. Fernandes scrutinized the striker’s home defense to coolly score against Pickford and score his first United goal since May.